Fallbrook reports second-lowest per capita COVID-19 cases as of May 11

Fallbrook has consistently been one of the communities least affected by coronavirus in San Diego County, according to data released by the county.

Fallbrook, with a population of around 30,000, had 18 coronavirus cases as of May 11. It translates to just 37.3 cases per 100,000 – while Fallbrook's position has fluctuated over the course of the coronavirus outbreak, that means it currently has the second-lowest number of per capita coronavirus cases in San Diego County, behind only the 92107 ZIP code, which covers the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego and had 35.8 cases per 100,000.

The ZIP code that covers Scripps Ranch, 92131, is not far behind Fallbrook with 38.9 cases per 100,000.

Bonsall's 92003 ZIP code has a similarly low number of cases, with just two residents testing positive for coronavirus so far, but the county does not calculate per capita numbers for ZIP codes with reported cases that low. Several ZIP codes around the rural eastern San Diego County mountains have similar numbers of reported cases.

To put Fallbrook's numbers into perspective, the nearby 92058 ZIP code, which covers parts of U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, reported 25 coronavirus cases, which translates to 101.9 cases per capita, three times Fallbrook's rate.

Some ZIP codes in Chula Vista and National City report per capita cases in the 200-400 range, and the hardest-hit ZIP code in the county, San Ysidro's 92173, reports a staggering 692.1 coronavirus cases per 100,000.

Will Fritz can be reached by email at [email protected].